Contact closure component

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a contact closure component ( 10 ), comprising a carrier part ( 12 ) and closure parts ( 14   a - 14   b ) arranged upright on the said carrier part, each closure part ( 14   a - 14   b ) having at least one stem part ( 10   a - 20   b ) having a pre-definable longitudinal extent (Hs), wherein said component is characterized in that at least one shaping section ( 26   a - 26   b ) is formed on at least one stem part ( 20   a - 20   b ), in at least one length section ( 24   a - 24   b ), wherein said shaping section is set back at least partially with respect to an imaginary stem outer shape, in the direction of the interior of the stem, and in that the at least one shaping section ( 26   a - 26   b ) permits elastic deformation and/or movement longitudinally and/or transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent (Hs) of the respective stem part ( 20   a - 20   b ), at least for this stem part.

The invention relates to a contact closure component, comprising a backing part and fastener parts, which are arranged in an upright manner on said backing part, each fastener part having at least one stem part, which has a predefinable longitudinal extent.

WO 01/49776 A2 discloses such a touch-and-close fastener part, in which the free ends of the stem parts of the individual fastener parts are provided with a plurality of individual fibers, with the diameter of the respective fibers being chosen to be very thin, so that the free end of each individual fiber has only a very small contact surface ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 μm². Such an order of magnitude enables an interaction with a second component in the vicinity, to which the touch-and-close fastener part is to be attached by means of the so-called van der Waals interaction, which constitutes in classical terms a subgroup of adhesion. According to the teaching of WO 01/49776 A2, parts of the foot structure of a gecko are used directly as biological material or are artificially simulated, with such an adhesive structure consisting of a plurality of so-called spatula components, each of which is divided into a plurality of individual filaments in the form of a curved, conically expanding fastener part at the free end.

The touch-and-close fastener part known from the prior art exhibits good connecting properties, but is associated with a cost-intensive production process. With this known solution from the prior art, it is possible to make available the formation of detachable adhesive connections that are configured for a broader range of materials and have a higher adhesion capacity and the possibility of providing the specified holding forces or holding properties. However, due to the relatively rigid arrangement between the head part and the backing part by way of the stem parts, which are arranged in such a way that they may be tilted, there is room for improved solutions.

Based on the above-described prior art, the object of the present invention is to improve the flexibility of the touch-and-close fastener part with respect to a wide range of adhesion requirements as well as to enhance the adhesion capacity.

This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a touch-and-close fastener part having the features specified in claim 1 in its entirety. Owing to the fact that at least one shaping section is provided on at least one stem part in at least one longitudinal section, said shaping section being set back at least partially with respect to an imaginary outer shape of the stem part in the direction of the interior of the stem; and wherein the at least one shaping section allows at least the stem part to be able to deform and/or move in an elastic manner along and/or transversely to the longitudinal extent of the respective stem part, the corresponding fastener part can be adapted to the second component in an improved way, in particular, in such a way that said fastener part forms a larger active contact surface and adheres to this second component. By removing or cutting out the material in the region of the respective shaping section, it is possible to create free spaces, in which or, more specifically, inside which the respective stem part can be moved, for example, is expanded or compressed, is moved in an axial and/or radial direction in a rotational and/or linear movement.

In a preferred embodiment of the inventive touch-and-close fastener part, the at least one shaping section is configured so as to extend at least partially as a necking, tapering, and/or notch along the periphery and/or along the longitudinal extent of the corresponding stem part. Preferably, the shaping section extends along the entire periphery of the stem part. However, it is also conceivable that the respective shaping section extends along the entire longitudinal extent of the corresponding stem part. Shaping sections, which extend in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the respective stem part, have the advantage that identical, or, in other words, homogeneous deformation and/or movement properties of the respective stem part can be set in all (radial) directions.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the necking, tapering, and/or notch is/are arranged and/or configured so as to extend at regular intervals along and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the corresponding stem part. In addition to a simple mode of production, this has the advantage of direction-independent, homogeneous properties of the respective stem part. The formation and arrangement of the respective shaping section is chosen according to the desired properties of the respective stem part. For example, one or more preferred directions for the elastic deformation or rather movement of the respective stem part can be set, in particular, can be adjusted to a peeling movement when the touch-and-close fastener part is used as intended.

Advantageously, the respective necking, tapering, and/or notch exhibit/exhibits the same depth and/or define/defines the same width of the stem part in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the corresponding stem part. The stem parts are typically configured in the form of a cylinder, but can also have tapering regions and/or expansion regions. If a plurality of shaping sections form a bellows-shaped longitudinal section, then the identical depth of the corresponding neckings along the longitudinal extent makes it possible to achieve homogeneous deformation properties or, more specifically, movement properties, thus largely avoiding an overload with the associated damage of a defined location of the stem part during deformation or more specifically during a movement.

In an additional advantageous embodiment of the touch-and-close fastener part according to the invention, the fastener parts are constructed so as to be rotationally symmetrical at least in the region of the stem parts and/or at least in the region of at least one shaping section. The rotational symmetry relates to the central axis of the respective stem part, which extends parallel to the longitudinal extent of the respective stem part. Rotationally symmetrical fastener parts are invariant relative to spatially different arrangements or, more specifically, orientations of the touch-and-close fastener part and can be arranged on the substrate part in any radial orientation because the fastener parts exhibit rotationally invariant deformation and/or movement properties. In this context, the configurations of the stem part and/or the head part having an n-cornered shape must also be considered to be rotationally symmetrical when the configuration is identical.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the fastener parts are constructed so as to have the same shape at least in the region of at least one shaping section and/or at least in the region of the stem part. In addition, the fastener parts can be arranged in at least one surface section of the backing part while simultaneously forming a regular pattern. This arrangement affords the advantage of homogeneous properties of a backing part populated with fastener parts. In addition, it is practical to make the backing part in one piece with the fastener parts. In order to produce the touch-and-close fastener part according to the invention, it is possible to use a plastic material, which contains most preferably polyvinyl siloxane and is machined, in particular, by means of microreplication technology.

In a preferred embodiment of the touch-and-close fastener part, at least one fastener part has a head part, wherein the respective head part has a contact surface on its free face side for releasably adhering to a second component by means of adhesion force. The respective head part is typically designed in the form of a mushroom. Preferably, the respective shaping section is constructed in the region of the head part and/or adjacent to the head part. The shaping sections allow the head parts to be decoupled to a certain extent from any movement of the respectively assignable stem part, so that a kind of damping is achieved that ensures to a greater extent that the contact surface will remain on the second component, even if there is a relative movement between the stem part and the assignable head part up to a specified limit load.

Furthermore, the respective stem part can extend between the head part and a base part, with the respective fastener part being connected to the backing part by way of the base part. Even more highly preferred, the shaping section(s) is/are arranged in the region of the entire longitudinal extent of the respective stem part. The longitudinal extent of the respective stem part typically amounts to 100 μm; and/or the width of the respective stem part typically ranges from 30 to 40 μm.

Preferably, the stem parts stand in each instance substantially vertically on the backing part; and the contact surfaces, which are defined by the respective head parts, extend more or less parallel to the backing part. In particular, the contact surfaces are arranged in such a way that they lie in a common plane when the stem parts have the same shape. It is important in this case that the individual stem parts or rather the fastener parts, including the head parts, have the same longitudinal extent, when seen from the flat surface of the backing part. The so-called second component can also be replaced with a third component.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and the figures in the drawings. The features depicted in the figures are purely schematic drawings and not drawn to scale. Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive touch-and-close fastener part with a plurality of fastener parts;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of two fastener parts shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a fastener part shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and

FIG. 4 is a side view of an additional example of a fastener part.

FIG. 1 shows a touch-and-close fastener part 10 comprising a flat backing part 12 and fastener parts 14 a-14 c, which are arranged at regular intervals on said backing part, with each fastener part comprising a base part 16 a-16 c and a head part 18 a-18 c. A stem part 20 a-20 c extends between the head parts 18 a-18 c and the base parts 16 a-16 c, by which the respective fastener part 14 a-14 c is connected to the backing part 12. Each face-side end of the head parts 18 a-18 c has a circular, flat contact surface 22 a-22 c, which is used for the adhesive engagement with a second component (not illustrated). Since all of the fastener parts 14 a-14 c have the same shape, the contact surfaces 22 a-22 c lie in a plane parallel to the backing surface 12.

A detailed drawing of the fastener parts 14 a and 14 b is shown in FIG. 2. Both fastener parts 14 a, 14 b have neckings 26 a-26 b in a longitudinal section 24 a, 24 b adjacent to the respective head part 18 a, 18 b. In the case of the fastener part 14 a (shown on the left), the neckings 26 a, 26 a′ are set apart from each other at regular intervals along a longitudinal extent H_(S) of the stem part 20 a, but exhibit different notch depths in the radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent H_(S). The neckings 26 a define a thickness D_(E1) of the stem part 20 a, which is greater than the thickness D_(E2) in the region of the deeper neckings 26 a′.

The rest of the stem part 20 a or, more specifically, its outer shape is defined by the stem diameter D_(S). The two fastener parts 14 a, 14 b exhibit the greatest width in the region of the respective base part 16 a, 16 b. A first movement direction 34 and a second movement direction 36 of the fastener part 14 a are indicated with corresponding arrows. Both fastener parts 14 a, 14 b are rotationally symmetrical relative to the central axis R_(a), R_(b) of the respective stem part 20 a, 20 b.

Two neckings 26 b are shown in the fastener part 14 b, which is shown on the right in FIG. 2. These neckings are arranged in the axial direction parallel to the longitudinal extent H_(S) and in the radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent H_(S) in such a way that these neckings exhibit the same shape and are formed over the whole of the periphery of the stem part 20 b and define the thickness D_(E) of the stem part 20 b. FIG. 2 show very clearly the arrangement of the two contact surfaces 22 a and 22 b in a common plane parallel to the plane of the backing part 12.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the head part 18 a of the corresponding fastener part 14 a, where the stem part 20 a is indicated by an inner circular line 28 having a diameter D_(S). The head part 18 a, projecting beyond the stem part 20 a in the radial direction, is designed substantially in the shape of a circle on the contact surface 22 a, so that the head part conforms to an outer circular line 28′ having a diameter D_(K), and the edge of the head part has a wavy outer contour, consisting of teeth 32, 32′. The teeth 32, 32′ produce tear-off edges, which improve the adhesive fastening properties of the touch-and-close fastener part 10 with the fastener part 14 a.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an additional fastener part 14, which is arranged on a backing 12′. In this case, the notches 40 are configured so as to extend in the axial extent along the longitudinal extent of the stem part 20′, with these notches being set back with respect to an outer shape 38 in the direction of the interior of the stem part 20′. Owing to the notches 40, the fastener part 14′ can be rotated and/or moved about the central axis of the stem part 20′ and/or the fastener part 14′ shown to be rotationally symmetrical in this case. It is obvious that additional embodiments of one or more shaping sections at the individual fastener parts are conceivable. In particular, fastener parts having a different shape can be provided on a backing part. Expediently, the shaping sections are formed on the fastener parts during the production of said fastener parts. A backing part can be optimally populated, as required, with suitably designed fastener parts; and a touch-and-close fastener part is made accordingly.

In order to produce the respective touch-and-close fastener part, it is possible to use conventional forming methods, such as the chill roll method. Furthermore, microlithographic or nanolithographic methods, including so-called micro printing, can be used. In addition or optionally, the described microstructure can also be achieved with a kind of crystal growth. Moreover, the fastener material can also be generated from solids, for example, with the use of micro spark erosion or a corresponding laser beam cutting process. 

1. A contact closure component (10), comprising a backing part (12, 12′) and fastener parts (14 a-14 c, 14′), which are arranged in an upright manner on said backing part, each fastener part (14 a-14 c, 14′) having at least one stem part (20 a-20 c, 20′), which has a predefinable longitudinal extent (H_(S)), characterized in that at least one shaping section (26 a-26 b, 40) is provided on at least one stem part (20 a-20 c, 20′) in at least one longitudinal section (24 a, 24 b), said shaping section being set back at least partially with respect to an imaginary outer shape (38) of the stem part in the direction of the interior of the stem; and that the at least one shaping section (26 a-26 b, 40) allows at least this stem part to be able to deform and/or move in an elastic manner along and/or transversely to the longitudinal extent (H_(S)) of the respective stem part (20 a-20 c, 20′).
 2. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one shaping section is configured so as to extend at least partially along the periphery and/or along the longitudinal extent (H_(S)) of the corresponding stem part (20 a-20 c, 20′) as a necking (26 a-26 b), tapering, and/or notch (40).
 3. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 2, characterized in that the respective necking (26 a-26 b), tapering, and/or notch (40) is/are arranged and/or configured so as to extend at regular intervals along and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal extent (H_(S)) of the corresponding stem part (20 a-20 c, 20′).
 4. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 2, characterized in that the respective necking (26 b), tapering, and/or notch exhibit/exhibits the same depth and/or define/defines the same width (D_(E)) of the stem part (20 b) in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent (H_(S)) of the corresponding stem part (20 b).
 5. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of shaping sections (26 a-26 b) form a longitudinal section (24 a-24 b) in bellows form.
 6. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastener parts (14 a-14 c, 14′) are constructed so as to be rotationally symmetrical at least in the region of the stem parts (20 a-20 c, 20′) and/or the shaping sections (26 a-26 b, 40).
 7. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastener parts (14 a-14 c, 14′) are constructed and/or arranged so as to have the same shape at least in the region of the shaping sections (26 a-26 b, 40) and/or the stem parts (20 a-20 c, 20′).
 8. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one fastener part (14 a-14 c, 14′) has a head part (18 a-18 c), wherein the respective head part (18 a-18 c) has a contact surface (22 a-22 c) on its free face side for releasably adhering to a second component by means of adhesion force.
 9. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 8, characterized in that the respective shaping section (26 a-26 b) is configured in the region of the head part (18 a-18 c) and/or adjacent to the head part (18 a-18 c).
 10. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 8, characterized in that the respective stem part (20 a-20 c) extends between the head part (18 a-18 c) and a base part (26 a-26 c), with the respective fastener part (14 a-14 c) being connected to the backing part (12) by way of the base part (16 a-16 c).
 11. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 1, characterized in that shaping section(s) (26 a-26 b, 40) is/are arranged in the region of the entire longitudinal extent (H_(S)) of the respective stem part (20 a-20 c, 20′).
 12. The touch-and-close fastener part according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective stem part (20 a-20 c, 20′) has a longitudinal extent (H_(S)) of about 100 μm and/or a width (D_(S)) of about 30 to 40 μm. 